I love this rain jacket. It’s four years old and I’ve never worn it. That’s exactly why I love it. Don’t get me wrong, the folks over at Black Sheep Cycling make awesome kit. They’re from my hometown of Brisbane and I’ve supported them since day one. But a rain jacket – where I live, and how I ride, I never want to wear it.
Cold, dark or wet, – back when I was younger I would ride my bike in any two of three of these conditions. Now that I’m older and wiser (and a lot less busy) any one of cold, wet or dark is a potential deal breaker.
I just don’t need to ride in the dark to squeeze in a ride before work – I don’t work. I live in a sub-tropical climate, and after 9:00 am in the middle of winter, I might need a gillet, with an emphasis on might. I just roll out in winter at 9:30 – problem solved. I ride my bike enough, I’m not on a strict training program where I can’t miss a day. If it rains I have a day off the bike – let’s not talk about my trainer set-up that only gets pulled out during a major multi-day rain event.
I bought this jacket for cycling adventures – for days when you’re away on tour and you just have to ride no matter what the conditions. So far it’s travelled with me to Bright, from Brisbane to Townsville on a Smiddy Challenge, to Adelaide for a Tour Down Under, from Brisbane to Cameron’s Corner, to Far North Queensland twice, and to New Zealand on a cycling tour as road crew.
In all this time it’s never been worn in anger – It’s like a lucky talisman. If I go away and take this jacket with me it never rains. This jacket has magical properties and that’s why I love it.
I’m sure, like all of my other Black Sheep kits it works well. It’s a great fit and looks good on me (at least in the mirror).
I like it so much that I bought a new slightly warmer version just recently for an upcoming trip to Tasmania.
Don’t worry, I’m leaving the tags on that one too.
